Barbara (Barb) Ann Biggs, 89, passed away Aug. 7 at home.

Born to parents Vere and Alta Sanford, Barb made her way into this world on March 10, 1928. Younger sister, Linda, joined the family in 1939, and they were raised together on a farm in rural Idaho, near the town of Melba.

After high school, Barb met and married Jack Machos. The striking pair welcomed their daughter, Patti, in July 1951. In 1953, Barb and Jack moved from Idaho to Burns, but eventually went their separate ways. Barb stayed in town (despite originally thinking ‘how could anyone ever live in a place like this?’) and met her second husband, Gaillard Biggs, while working at the old Neil’s Tavern. Gaillard was working for Dalton’s Distributing at the time and delivered products to the restaurant. A courtship evolved, and the two married in 1958. Their son, Tom, was born in June 1960, and the family of four made their home of more than 60 years on Newport Street in Hines.

Barb spent 28 years waitressing at the Pine Room and truly loved her work there. She also served customers for many years at the Antlers and often found herself on the dance floor there. She was an avid athlete and sports enthusiast, too: bowling for decades in women’s leagues across the state (you should see the lapel pin and patch collection from all of her wins), golfing, and watching the Portland Trail Blazers, Atlanta Braves, Seattle Mariners, and Oregon Ducks on television. She was a lifelong fan and could talk about a game or player with ESPN-like commentary.

Barb could talk a good politics game, too. She had clear opinions on many issues and was – gasp – a Trump supporter. She loved playing cards and bingo, going to Ladies Par-tee at the Valley Golf Club, dancing, nights at the Elks Lodge with Gaillard and friends, listening to books on tape and music from the 1940s, taking care of her porch kitties, and crocheting. Even in her 80s, legally blind, Barb could crochet a mean afghan without a single fault. She played her 1916 Huntington piano beautifully until her failing eyesight made sheet music impossible to read. She lived independently and cared for herself, getting around town on her little red scooter. You may have seen her in a bright pink sunhat in the summer or red stocking hat in the winter, somewhere between Hines Post Office and Thriftway.

Barb had a terrific sense of humor, and even in her final days, she laughed and joked with her family and friends.

She is survived by her daughter, Patti Wilson; daughter-in-law, Lynn Biggs; sister, Linda (Bob) Gladman; grandchildren, Tara (Seth) Thissell, Nichole Biggs, and Tim (Amanda) Wilson; great-grandsons, Grayden Martinak and Tyler Wilson; nieces, Barbara (Ron) Hanna and Kim (Jon) Juris; and special friends, Bob and Darla Knisely and Roman Yriarte who cared for her deeply all the way from Southern California. Their regular phone calls and loyal friendships were priceless.

Barb was preceded in death by her parents, Vere and Alta Sanford; husband, Gaillard Biggs; son, Tom Biggs; and son-in-law, John Wilson.

A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, at LaFollette’s Chapel in Burns. Contributions in Barb’s name may be made to Harney County Save-A-Stray or Harney County Home, Health & Hospice, in care of LaFollette’s Chapel.